Camera-equipped cellular telephone

ABSTRACT

Cell phone apparatus with camera capabilities characterized in that the cell phone apparatus with camera capabilities includes a shooting section for shooting a picture, a reclosable lens cover for protecting the shooting lens of the shooting section, detecting means for detecting opening/closing of the lens cover, a memory for storing information on presetting of a plurality of modes where various features are set, and a controller for switching to a preset mode among a plurality of modes stored in the memory on detecting that the lens cover is open. This provides easy-to-use cell phone apparatus with camera capabilities in both the cell phone mode and the camera mode without causing misunderstanding or unnecessary guard on the side of others in photography shooting.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to cell phone apparatus with cameracapabilities, and in particular to cell phone apparatus with cameracapabilities which can register a picture taken with the camera into aRAM or onto an IC card provided on the cell phone apparatus.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Recently, cell phone apparatus with camera capabilities (hereinafterreferred to as a cell phone with camera capabilities) has been developedwhich registers a picture taken with the cell phone with cameracapabilities and uses the picture registered as a standby screen in thedisplay section or transmits the picture to another cell phone by usingthe cell phone with camera capabilities.

However, in general, in the cell phone with camera capabilities, thecamera lens is always exposed. Even when it is used as a cell phone andnot as a camera, whether it is used as a cell phone or a camera is noteasy to understand by other people.

Thus, it is possible to shoot others secretly by pretending to use thecell phone with camera capabilities as a cell phone. This may causeothers to be cautious unnecessarily or cause misunderstanding of others.Thus the cell phone has a problem when it is used as a camera.

The cell phone with camera capabilities has both a cell phone feature(cell phone mode) in which the cell phone is used as a cell phone and acamera feature (camera mode) in which the cell phone is used as acamera. The cell phone with camera capabilities is very effective byalternating its modes.

In case the user of the cell phone with camera capabilities takes timein an attempt to switch from the cell phone mode to the camera mode in acomplicated way, for example, he/she may miss the perfect moment for agood picture. It may happen that he/she pressed a wrong operation buttonor actually missed shooting although he/she surely took a picture.

Further, there is an increasing need to develop a cell phone with cameracapabilities which provides easy-to-understand and convenient procedureand setting on how to capture a picture taken or handle call operationfor example when an incoming call is indicated while shooting is underway in the camera mode.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

In view of the situation, this patent application aims at providing cellphone apparatus with camera capabilities which assures convenientprocedure and setting in both a cell phone mode and a camera mode,without causing misunderstanding and unnecessary guard on the side ofothers in shooting.

First, the invention is cell phone apparatus with camera capabilitiescharacterized in that the cell phone apparatus with camera capabilitiescomprises

a shooting section for shooting a picture,

a reclosable lens cover for protecting the shooting lens of the shootingsection,

detecting means for detecting opening/closing of the lens cover,

a memory for storing information on presetting of a plurality of modeswhere various features are set, and

a controller for switching to a preset mode among a plurality of modesstored in the memory on detecting that the lens cover is open.

By checking opening/closing of the lens cover with his/her own eyes, anyuser can check whether the cell phone apparatus with camera capabilitiesis engaged in shooting. This eliminates misunderstanding or unnecessaryguard on the side of others in shooting in the camera mode.

Second, the controller preferably switches from the cell phone mode tothe camera mode on detecting that the lens cover is open, and switchesfrom the camera mode to the cell phone mode on detecting that the lenscover is closed.

Same as the first aspect of the invention, by checking opening/closingof the lens cover with his/her own eyes, any user can check whether thecell phone apparatus with camera capabilities is engaged in shooting.This eliminates misunderstanding or unnecessary guard on the side ofothers in shooting in the camera mode.

Third, the controller preferably switches from the camera mode to thecell phone mode on detecting that the lens cover is closed, and switchesfrom the camera mode to the cell phone mode as well as switches theroles of the keys used in the cell phone mode to those of the keys usedin the camera mode on detecting that the lens cover is open.

Fourth, the controller preferably retrieves presence/absence of apicture temporarily stored in the camera mode, and in case the pictureis present, asks the user whether this picture needs registration andissues an instruction for the user to register of erase the temporarystored picture data via choice of the user.

This allows a quick response to an incoming call even while shooting isunder way in the camera mode and storage/registration of a picture takenalready shot when the cell phone mode is entered, after the call isterminated.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of showing the electric configuration of acell phone with camera capabilities according to an embodiment of theinvention;

FIG. 2A shows a rear view of the cell phone with camera capabilitiesaccording to this embodiment with the lens cover closed;

FIG. 2B is a rear view of the cell phone with camera capabilitiesaccording to this embodiment with the lens cover open;

FIG. 3A is a front view of the cell phone with camera capabilitiesaccording to this embodiment;

FIG. 3B is a side view of the cell phone with camera capabilitiesaccording to this embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of the cell phone withcamera capabilities according to this embodiment;

In the figures, a numeral 1 represents a cell phone with cameracapabilities, 10 an enclosure, 11 an audio codec, 12 a channel codec, 13an SWIC, 14 a diversity antenna, 15 a display, 16 an operating section,16A and 16C shutter keys, 16B and 16D cancel keys, 2 a mouthpiecesection, 21 a microphone, 22 a modulating section, 23 a transmittingsection, 3 an earpiece section, 31 a receiving section, 32 ademodulating section, 33 a receiver, 34 a speaker, 4 a shooting section,41 a lens cover, 41A a confirmation window, 42 an imaging lens, 43 ashooting element, 5 a detecting section (detecting means), 6 a lamp, 7 amemory, 8 a controller, and 9 a power source.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

An embodiment of the invention will be described in detail referring tothe attached drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a cell phone with camera capabilities to which the cellphone apparatus with camera capabilities of the invention is applied.The cell phone with camera capabilities 1 according to this embodimentcomprises a display 15, an operating section 16, a mouthpiece section 2,an earpiece section 3, as well as a shooting section 4, a lens cover 41provided on the shooting section 4, a detecting section (detectingmeans) 5, a lamp 6, a memory 7, a controller 8, and a power source 9.

On the display 15 is displayed an ordinary cell phone standby screen incase the cell phone with camera capabilities is set to the cell phonemode. In case it is set to the camera mode, a picture to be taken withthe camera and a temporarily stored picture may be displayed. On thedisplay 15 is also displayed an inquiry about whether the temporarilystored picture is to be registered or erased.

Setting is allowed where pictures already taken are retrieved anddisplayed or pictures taken are displayed in the order they are taken insetting the camera mode. A picture displayed on the display is in theordinary portrait orientation (the longitudinal direction of theenclosure 10 is arranged in vertical direction). In the camera mode, asshown in FIG. 3A, screen display in landscape orientation (thetransverse direction of the enclosure 10 is arranged in verticaldirection) is allowed.

On the operating section 16 are provided keys and buttons used foroperation as an ordinary cell phone in setting of the cell phone mode,as shown in FIG. 3. The specific keys 16A, 16B serve as a shutter keyand a cancellation key for canceling a temporarily stored picturerespectively in setting of the camera mode. The shutter key 16A and thecancellation key 16B are mainly used to take a picture of the userhimself/herself.

The dedicated shutter keys 16C and the dedicated cancellation key 16Dare respectively provided on the sides of the enclosure 10 of the cellphone and mainly used to shoot the front scenery with the camera placedin landscape orientation. Which of the shutter key 16A, the cancellationkey 16B, as well as the shutter key 16C and the cancellation key 16Dwill be used may be chosen at command depending on which keys are easierto use.

In the mouthpiece section 2, for example a voice of the user issued froma capacitor microphone 21 is converted to a sound signal via themicrophone 21, output to the transmitting section 23 via the channelcodec 12 and the modulating section 22, then transmitted on the SWIC 13to a distant party from the diversity antenna 14.

The earpiece section 3, receiving a transmit signal from the distantparty on the receiving section 31 by way of the SWIC 13 via thediversity antenna 14, hears the sound of the distant party from thereceiver 33 and the speaker 34 via the demodulating section 32 and thechannel codec 12 and the audio codec 11.

The shooting section 4, as shown in FIG. 2, comprises an imaging lens 42at the rear face opposite to the front face where the display 15 and theoperating section 16 are provided. A picture taken is imaged onto ashooting element 43 such as a CCD via the imaging lens 42. In theshooting section 4 of this embodiment, by pressing one of the shutterkeys 16A and 16C again after pressing one of the shutter keys 16A and16C, a picture taken is stored into the memory 7.

The shooting section 4 comprises a lens cover 41 for exposing orcovering the imaging lens 42 in order to protect the imaging lens 42externally and to notify a third party such as a subject of shootingincluding other people in the neighborhood that the cell phone is in thestate where shooting is in progress or possible (camera mode).

While the shutter key 16A or 16C is pressed twice to register a picturetaken into the memory 7 in this embodiment, for example, the shutter key16A or 16C may be pressed once to temporarily store the picture taken,then the shutter key 16A or 16C may be pressed again to register thepicture.

The lens cover 41 manually slides in parallel with the longitudinaldirection of the enclosure 10 (in vertical direction in FIG. 2). Thelens cover 41 and the enclosure 10 are provided with the detectingsection 5 for detecting via a magnetic sensor the open/close state whenthe lens cover 41 is moved to a predetermined close position or apredetermined open position and outputting a detection signal to thecontroller 8.

The memory 7 is used to register a picture taken on the shooting section4. While the memory 7 registers only still pictures using the controller8 in this embodiment, the memory 7 may register moving pictures as well.A plurality of modes to be set by the user are registered and storedinto the memory 7 in both the cell phone mode and the camera mode. Inthis embodiment, for example, the four auxiliary modes (hereinafterreferred to as four mode types) are stored and registered:

(I) Camera Mode and Call-Origination/Termination-Inhibited (Out ofCoverage) Mode (Hereinafter Referred to as the First Mode)

<Call Termination>

Call termination is not permitted and the cell phone stays in the cameramode because of the setting of call-termination-inhibited.

<Call Origination>

The cell phone does not enter the cell phone mode with the key operationon the operating section 16. A call may be originated in the cell phonemode with the lens cover 41 closed.

(II) Camera Mode and Call-Termination-Inhibited (Camera Only) Mode(Hereinafter Referred to as the Second Mode)

<Call Termination>

Call termination is not permitted and the cell phone stays in the cameramode because of the setting of call-termination-inhibited.

<Call Origination>

(1) Numeric key operation or retrieval of a telephone numberautomatically places the cell phone in the cell phone mode (the lenscover 41 stays open).

(2) Pressing the cancellation key or termination of a call automaticallyrestores the cell phone to the camera mode.

(3) When the camera mode is entered, whether there is a temporarilystored picture is detected.

(4) A screen is displayed to inquire about whether to register thetemporarily stored picture into the memory 7.

(5) Key operation of the user chooses whether to register thetemporarily stored picture into the memory 7 or erase the picture.

(III) Camera Mode and Manner Mode (Hereinafter Referred to as the ThirdMode)

<Call Termination>

(1) The cell phone stays in the camera mode, without entering the cellphone mode, even when there is an incoming call.

(2) Pressing the cancellation key or termination of a call automaticallyrestores the cell phone to the camera mode.

(3) When the camera mode is entered, whether there is a temporarilystored picture is detected

(4) A guidance to prompt the distant party to record a message isautomatically provided.

(5) The message of the distant party is registered into the memory 7.

<Call Origination>

Same as the call-termination-inhibited mode.

(IV) Camera Mode and Ordinary Mode (Hereinafter Referred to as theFourth Mode)

<Call Termination>

(1) The cell phone automatically enters the cell phone on callterminating. Pressing the termination button allows the user to beengaged in the call (the lens cover 41 stays open)

(2) Termination of a call automatically restores the cell phone to thecamera mode.

(3) When the camera mode is entered, whether there is a temporarilystored picture is detected.

(4) A screen is displayed to inquire about whether to register thetemporarily stored picture into the memory 7.

(5) Key operation of the user chooses whether to register thetemporarily stored picture into the memory 7 or erase the picture.

<Call Origination>

Same as the call-termination-inhibited mode.

The controller 8 automatically switches over the preset modes dependingon the opening/closing of the lens cover 41. For example, when thedetecting section 5 has detected that the lens cover 41 is open, thecell phone enters the camera mode. In the camera mode, usually, unlessthe user does not choose another mode, the cell phone is controlled tochoose a mode preset in advance among the four mode types stored in thememory 7.

Similarly, the controller 8, when the detecting section 5 has detectedthat the lens cover 41 is closed, places the cell phone in the cellphone mode. In the cell phone mode, same as the camera mode, the cellphone is controlled to choose a mode preset in advance among the fourmode types stored in the memory 7. In case a preset mode is notspecified, the ordinary mode is chosen.

The controller 8, when the lens cover 41 is open and the cell phone hasentered the camera mode, switches the roles (features) of the keys usedin the cell phone mode to those of the keys used in the camera mode.When the lens cover is closed and the cell phone has entered the cellphone mode, the controller 8 chooses the roles (features) of the keysused in the cell phone mode.

The controller 8 retrieves presence/absence of a picture temporarilystored in the camera mode, and in case there is a temporarily storedpicture, displays a screen to inquire about whether to register thetemporarily stored picture on the display 15 and issues an instructionfor the user to register or erase the temporarily stored picture datathrough section by the user on the screen.

The controller 8, in case the third or fourth mode of the four modetypes is preset, when there is an incoming call from a third party witha picture taken being temporarily stored, interrupts shooting operationand performs call processing preferentially and temporarily.

The modes of the cell phone in this embodiment will be described.

(A) Camera Mode:

In the camera mode, when the user opens the lens cover 41 with his/herhands, that event is detected by the detecting section 5 and thecontroller 8 sets the camera mode. When the enclosure 10 and the lens 42are oriented toward the object of shooting, the target picture isdisplayed on the display 15. When the user presses the shutter button16B, a desired picture is taken and the picture may be registered intothe memory 7.

(B) Cell Phone Mode:

In the cell phone mode, when the user closes the lens cover 41, thatevent is detected by the detecting section 5 and the controller 8 setsthe keys and buttons on the operating section 16 to the features used inthe ordinary cell phone operation. The user may use the cell phone as acell phone by operating the keys and buttons on the operating section16.

The operation of the cell phone in this embodiment will be describedreferring to the flowchart of FIG. 4.

In this example, modes to be automatically chosen in the cell phone modeand the camera mode among the first through fourth modes are chosen asrequired in advance and registered by using the mode setting key on theoperating section 16.

Mode presetting is made as mentioned earlier (step S1) The modepresetting is allowed anytime irrespective of the opening or closing ofthe lens cover 41. In this state, it is determined whether the lenscover 41 is open or closed (step S2). In case the lens cover 41 is open,the cell phone enters the camera mode and execution proceeds to step S10and the subsequent steps. In case the lens cover 41 is closed, the cellphone enters the cell phone mode and execution proceeds to step S21 andthe subsequent steps.

The camera mode refers to a state where specific keys are operational asnecessary keys for a camera and the camera feature is active. In thisstate, the user cannot release the shutter.

The shutter keys 16A, 16C are push keys of a two-stage type. In thefirst stage, a picture is temporarily stored, that is, a moving picturetaken with the camera is temporarily stored as a still picture at themoment into a register. In the second stage, the temporarily storedpicture is formally registered and stored into the memory 7. Pressingthe shutter key into the first and second stages in a row acceleratesthe operation, thus finally registering and storing the formal pictureat the moment into the memory 7.

When the cell phone is in the camera mode in step S10, it is determinedwhether there is a temporarily stored picture (step S11). In case thereis not a temporarily stored picture, execution proceeds to step S15 toallow shooting with a camera, that is, releasing the shutter to performphotography shooting. In case there is a temporarily stored picture, ascreen appears to inquire about whether to store the picture, and it isdetermined whether the picture is to be stored (step S12).

When the user chooses to store the picture according to the screen toinquire whether to store the picture, the temporarily stored picture isstored into the memory (step S13) thus placing the cell phone in theshooting-ready state in step S15. On the other hand, when the user doesnot choose to store the picture, the temporarily stored picture iserased (step 14), then placing the cell phone in the shooting-readystate. It is possible to quit the screen without erasing the temporarilystored picture after choosing not to store the picture. In case theshutter is operated for photography shooting and the pictures taken atthe moment are temporarily stored, the pictures already in the memoryare erased in the chronological order they are stored. The number ofpictures to be temporarily stored is in general one. This is sufficientbut it is also possible to temporarily store a plurality of pictures anderase and overwrite the pictures in the chronological order.

When the cell phone is in the shooting-ready state in step S15, it isdetermined which auxiliary mode has been preset (step S16), then one ofthe steps S17 through S20 is followed. In this embodiment, the cellphone feature operates in the four states depending on the modepresetting even in the shooting-ready state. The cell phone featurepreferentially operates in one of the four modes, first to four modesdescribed below, depending on the preset mode.

First Mode (Step S17)

Both call origination and call termination are inhibited. In this state,the telephone feature is not available at all. An incoming call isneglected and an attempt to originate a call is rejected. When the userwishes to activate the telephone feature, he/she must preset anothermode or close the lens cover 41.

Second Mode (Step S18)

Call origination is permitted while call termination is inhibited. Theuser can originate a call by operating a ten-key pad with an arbitrarytiming. Shooting with a camera is available while conversation is inprogress and the user can transmit a picture taken to the distant partyin the meantime. It is possible to inhibit shooting while conversationis in progress and place the cell phone in the shooting-ready stateafter the call is over.

Third Mode (Step S19)

Call origination is permitted. Call termination is permitted only in themanner mode. Call origination is available by operating the ten-keypad,same as the second mode. The manner mode refers to a mode where aringing tone is silenced in general and a vibrator is used instead tosignal call termination. Various settings are available, such asconversation through lower voice with the microphone sensitivityincreased or a so-called phone-answering machine feature whereby leavingthe incoming call unanswered transmits a recorded announcement to promptthe caller to leave a message. Same as the second mode, shooting with acamera is available while conversation is in progress.

Fourth Mode (Step S20)

Both call origination and call termination are possible. Callorigination and call termination are given priority over photographyshooting in progress. Same as the second mode and the third mode,shooting with a camera is available and the user can transmit a picturetaken to the distant party while conversation is in progress.

Operation of call termination is similar to that of call origination. Aringing tone sounds on call termination. The user operates an off-hookkey to answer the incoming call and is engaged in the call. The user cantransmit a picture taken to the distant party while conversation is inprogress. It is possible to inhibit shooting while conversation is inprogress and place the cell phone in the shooting-ready state after thecall is over. Any operation is accepted as long as the cell phone isplaced is the shooting-ready state when a call is over and the telephoneline is released.

In case the lens cover 41 is closed in step S2, execution proceeds tostep S21 to place the cell phone in the cell phone mode where the camerafeature is inactive. In this practice, it is determined whether the lenscover 41 has changed from the open state to the closed state, that is,whether the lens cover 41 was open before it was closed (step S22). Incase it was open before it was closed, there could be a temporarilystored picture. Thus, it is determined whether there remains atemporarily stored picture (step S23).

In case such a temporarily stored picture is found, a screen appears toinquire about whether to store the temporarily stored picture and theuser determines whether to store the picture (step S24). When the userhas chosen to store the picture according to the screen to inquirewhether to store the picture, the temporarily stored picture is storedinto the memory (step S25). When the user has chosen not to store thepicture, the temporarily stored picture is erased (step S26). Finally,the cell phone enters the state in step S27 where both call originationand call termination are permitted. In this state, it is also possibleto allow pictures registered in the memory to be read out andtransmitted to the distant party while conversation is in progressalthough the camera is not operational.

In the aforementioned procedure, if wishing to change modes, the usercan follow the mode presetting step to change the preset mode at anytime. The user can arbitrarily choose between the camera mode and thecell phone mode by opening or closing the lens cover 41 as required.

While execution returns to step S27 after following steps S25 and S26 toallow call origination and call termination in FIG. 4, execution mayproceed to step S16 and then one of the steps S17, S18, S19 and S20depending on the mode preset in step S1.

While the invention has been described in detail and referring to itsspecific embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize thatvarious changes and modifications can be made in it without departingfrom the spirit and scope thereof.

This patent application is based on the Japanese Patent Application No.2001-232287 filed Jul. 31, 2001, which is incorporated herein byreference.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

As mentioned hereinabove, the invention provides cell phone apparatuswith camera capabilities comprising a shooting section, a reclosablelens cover for protecting the shooting lens, detecting means fordetecting opening/closing of the lens cover, and a controller forswitching to a preset mode among a plurality of modes on detecting thatthe lens cover is open. The cell phone apparatus with cameracapabilities performs photography shooting with this lens cover open.Other people see the open lens cover and recognize that photographyshooting is under way. This eliminates misunderstanding such as beingphotographed secretly or unnecessary guard on the side of others inshooting in the camera mode.

According to the invention, it is possible to suspend shooting andanswer an incoming call even when the call is terminated and the cellphone apparatus with camera capabilities is rung. Also, it is possibleto concentrate on registration of a picture taken in the suspendedshooting, after the call is over, with sufficient lead time, withoutbeing prodded by ringing. Thus it is possible to provide easy-to-usecell phone apparatus with camera capabilities in both the cell phonemode and the camera mode.

1. A cell phone apparatus with camera capabilities, comprising: a mainbody that has a first face and a second face opposite to the first face;a display section that is provided on the first face; an operatingsection that is provided on the first face; an image capturing sectionthat captures an image, and that is provided on the second face; a lenscover that is provided on the second face, and that is arranged toexpose and cover a lens of the image capturing section; and a controllerthat switches between a camera mode for capturing the image and a cellphone mode in direct relation to the lens cover exposing and coveringthe lens, respectively.
 2. The cell phone apparatus according to claim1, further comprising: a shutter key that is provided on a side face ofthe main body, wherein the controller sets a function of operating theimage capturing section on the shutter key in the camera mode; andwherein the controller sets a function of operating the cell phoneapparatus on the shutter key in the cell phone mode.
 3. The cell phoneapparatus according to claim 1, wherein the controller generatesinformation that represents whether to register a temporarily storedimage in a memory when it is determined that the temporarily storedimage present.
 4. The cell phone apparatus according to claim 1, whereinthe controller determines presence/absence of a temporarily stored imagewhen the controller switches from the cell phone mode to the cameramode; and wherein the controller displays an inquiry image thatrepresents whether to register the temporarily stored image in a memorywhen it is determined that the temporarily stored image is present. 5.The cell phone apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the controllerdetermines presence/absence of the temporarily stored image when thecontroller switches from the cell phone mode to the camera mode.
 6. Thecell phone apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the controllerregisters or deletes the temporarily stored image based on a response tothe information.
 7. A cell phone apparatus with cameral capabilitiescomprising: a main body; an image capturing section provided on the mainbody and operable to capture an image; a lens cover provided on the mainbody and operable to alternatively expose and cover a lens of the imagecapturing section; and a controller operable to switch between a cameramode and a cell phone mode in direct relation to the lens cover exposingand covering the lens, respectively.
 8. A cell phone apparatus withcameral capabilities comprising: a main body; an image capturing sectionprovided on the main body and operable to capture an image; a lens coverprovided on the main body and operable to alternatively expose and covera lens of the image capturing section; and a controller operable toswitch between a camera mode and a cell phone mode automatically inrelation to the lens cover exposing and covering the lens, respectively.